Geneva, 26 August 2005 - Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, who takes office as Secretary-General of UNCTAD on 1 September, this afternoon began a series of consultations with Member States to discuss UNCTAD´s agenda and priorities for the future. Today´s meeting was with ambassadors from the Asian Group.

Dr. Supachai will meet with the Latin American Group on Tuesday morning, 30 August, and with the African Group that afternoon. On 20 September he will speak with ambassadors from the European Union.